Trivia Thank You's

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make trivia night a success. I am happy to report that we raised a tremendous amount of $$ for Parker, before the fund matching from Modern Woodman.

After the fund matching - the family will be able to cover the cost of Parker's extended chemotherapy regimen, which is left uncovered by insurance.

I hope all 33 tables had a fun time and you are enjoying your fun new door prizes and/or silent auction purchases.

Go-Time

Yes Friends - the time is upon us for trivia!!!!!!!! I know some of you are up late cramming in last minute facts. :) Looking forward to seeing all of your bright faces tomorrow for what is sure to be a wonderful evening. We are expecting a FULL house tomorrow night - so flexiblity and patience are appreciated. Remember, we are not trivia professionals or even professional party planners (though we can throw good parties and do score well when we have played trivia!) - we are just good friends trying to do something nice for our good friends and their baby boy.

Important information:
all team contacts were sent a reminder email today, if you didn't get one - maybe you are not officially registered with me?? As I said before - we are QUITE full, so I appreciate knowing ahead of time of any last minute additions to make sure we have a place for them.

Church is St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bettendorf - 4097 18th Street. There is a Mass service which will be letting out at 5:30, which is going to make for some interesting preparations. We appreciate your arrival at or after 6:15, when we will be opening the doors. I believe there is lots of parking in and around the church.

Donations, donations, donations....we have been OVERWHELMED the generous donations sent by people - monetary, along with items for auction, raffle. I am really hoping we can have an engaging and fun silent auction going on the 50+ silent auction items. Keep in mind that a lot of thought, effort and hard work went into acquiring these items for your consideration and all the $$ goes directly to the Pruitt family (after being matched by Modern Woodman, of course). So please take a look and consider making a bid. I know times are tight for everyone, so imagine what it must be like having to make weekly trips to the hospital in Iowa City and paying for daily chemotherapy medicine that is not covered by insurance....that is the reason we are doing this all!

EAT UP @ the concession stand! Pat & Jane have been in the kitchen on these hot days, working in overdrive to prepare their special goodies and they keep fretting no one will like them. We can all agree that for tomorrow night - calories do not count, when consumed for a good cause!

I am out to rest up for what is sure to be a fabulous time tomorrow!

Silent Auction Bonanza

Countdown to Trivia: Day #2....or T minus 2.
It will be here before we know it!!

I do not know how much more blogging is going to get done between now and Saturday, due to the need to focus effort and energy on putting on a successful trivia night for all of you fine folks. In the meantime - I will allow you to ponder these fine silent auction items.

*Advertising space on the Stirrup Queens blog (which I am told is a quite popular site with a large fan base...I clicked around a bit and she is a very talented writer!)

*Isabel Bloom Figurine - Love at First Sight

*hand painted stepping stones to support your favorite team

*Creative Memories Gift Certificate (for you scrapbookers!)

*QCA Watercolor posters done by local artist, featuring special areas of QCA - like Bix Fest, Centennial Park

*Travel/Picnic Essentials tote bag from Royal Neighbors

*MANY themed gift baskets....relax, fiesta, coffee, baked goodies....

*Truffles from Lagomarcino's

*A knitting package, including lessons, essentials and yarn

*Gift certificates to TWO different area jewelers - Bling Bling.

I will also appeal to your sweet tooth......we will be having a small concession stand, which will be featured wonderful baked goodies and treats - brought to you by our mothers!! Cauz no one does it as good as Mom/Grandma does!! And if you know either of us - you are probably well aware of what phenomenal cooks Pat & Jane are!!! And I assure you, they have put a lot of thought and effort into preparing some of their very best and favorite treats to share. Get them while you can (you may have to push me out of the way!)

Creative Goodness

Countdown to Trivia: Day #3....it is getting closer!!!

We have been overwhelmed with the generousity from people - which is resulting in some really nice auction items and plenty of door prizes as well. So there is a strong possiblity that you will not be going home on Saturday empty handed!

Today, I had to go pick up some items - including these amazing handcrafted woodwork items. The man that did these is retired and it a hobby, and he heard of the benefit from a friend of a friend - so he wanted to offer his handiwork. I can tell you I was AMAZED when he took me into his woodworking shop to get things - the elaborate details in all of the pieces make them breath-takingly beautiful and unique. In addition to the items pictured - there is also a hand crafted jewelry box, which is equally beautiful and stunning. You can check it out on Saturday, but for the time being - you may oggle these woodwork gems.

Calling all Hawkeyes!

Countdown to Trivia: Day #4/5 (it is late when I am doing this)


For the lovers of the Black & Gold - mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept 6.
Hawkeyes vs. Florida: We have 2 tickets - 11 rows up, off South End Zone.

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

Countdown to Trivia Day #6 brings us to tempting your tongue and stomach with the various food offerings we will be auctioning....
*Supply of bread from local bakery, The Bread Basket
*Gift card to Fresh Fruit Bouqet Company
*A Gift basket dedicated to Chocolate!

Beauty, Beauty, Beauty....

ONE WEEK TO GO in our Trivia Countdown - Day #7.

And ladies and gentleman - we have some offerings to help revive, refresh and beautify yourselves.
*Mary Kay Gift sets - including a mens set, spa package, color and perfume sets.
*First day exam and test at Nelson Chiropractic.
*30 minute massage at Nelson Chiropractic.

John Deere time

Countdown to Trivia - Day #8....In honor of the John Deere Golf classic this week....a die cast John Deere Combine Toy set. Perfect for boys of all ages who love the green and gold!

Designer Specs

Countdown to Trivia: Day # 9 - since we seem to be featuring "big" items this week - I will keep right on with that theme....
Ladies - Protect your precious vision is the utmost of style with a spectacular pair of Johnathon Spade sunglasses!!! I have not seen them, but Pat & Kristen assure me they are quite fancy and cool....black with pearl accents?!?!

Cookin' Out

Trivia Countdown Day #10 brings you the possiblity of a new gas grill!!! Featuring 35,000 BTU Gas; 444 Square Inch Total Cooking Area; Stainless Steel Burners; Porcelain Coated Steel Cooking Grates; 9,000 BTU Side Burner; Chrome Plated Warming Rack and Push Button Ignition - by UniFlame.

The item will be on site the 19th, and available for taking that evening. I do not know if it will be packaged or assembled.

A trip for four

Can't guarantee the cart will be the same (or decked out with festive flags, like our 4th of July ride) - but for Trivia Countdown Day #11; we happily announce the possiblity of 18 holes of golf at Hidden Hills for 4, with carts included.

Speaking of baseball

Since today's feature was only a teaser - I figured I should mention another related silent auction item.....4 tickets for a Quad City River Bandits Game.

A sneak peak

Countdown Day #12 - If you know who this is pictured and why he is important.....then do we have a treat for you at the silent auction!! And that is all I am saying (and that some people are already speculating and planning their finances - b/c we will have some fans in the house!)

More 4th of July

Pool Fun!!!

Here are some fun pictures of the kids in our pool. Gracie is becoming quite brave as she is not the biggest fan of the water. Parker is quite the little swimmer fish as he loves teh water.

Happy 4th of July

We interupt the regularly scheduled silent auction countdown and advertising to celebrate our nation; we had a wonderful time as our "big" family - taking in the parade, swimming, festivities and fireworks. The highlight had to be our super cool golf car transportation - thanks to Grandma Pat!!! Hope you and yours had a fabulous time as well.

Check back tomm for the return of silent auction items. Also - if you see something you are interested in, but you will NOT be in attendance on the 19th - you may email me at parkerbenefitfund@hotmail.com to submit a bid beforehand.

Get your Learning Fix

Countdown to Trivia - Day 17, we focus on educational play for the younger crew. I don't know details, I don't know specifics - but I do know there will be a gift set of assorted Discovery Toys in the silent auction!! And I also know that my daughter has LOVED anything from them, and they are super high quality and EDUCATIONAL toys too. Maybe even good for entertaining your own inner child! :) If you can't take the suspence - you can click here to take a gander at some of their offerings.

The perfect size, the perfect fit - the gift of choice.....GIFTCARDS

18 days to go and we are featuing Giftcards Galore!!
We got 'em! Various values to such places as:
Red Lobster, GAP, Outback Steakhouse, Blockbuster, TGI Fridays, Bennigans, Bath & Body Works.
Just think - you can do your shopping/eating at one of your favorite places and still be helping Parker!! What a win/win situation! :)

Trivia Countdown has begun!!!

19 days from today - we will be stimulating our minds to answer challenging trivia questions, enjoying delicious food and goodies, crossing our fingers to win the 50/50 auction or coveted door prize item and anxiously checking our bids on silent auction items to make them ours before the evening ends!! Yes folks - that night is quickly approaching!! To quelch your anticipation for the festivities - be checking back here often as I am taking over the blog for the next few weeks and will be featuring different door prizes and silent auction items. That way - you will have a better idea of what to be saving your pennies for!! Get excited - its for a good cause!! And tell everyone you know - the more the merrier!!!

If you haven't registered your team - do it now, tables are filling fast. To be officially considered registered - I MUST receive an email from you at parkerbenefitfund@hotmail.com; with team contact name, phone number, email address and head count. You will know you are officially registered as you will receive a confirmation email back from me.

And for today's announcement - a HUGE Thank you to Lisa Ball & Modern Woodman of America!!! Due to Lisa's hard work - she has obtained a Modern Woodman Camp sponsership that will be matching the funds raised at the event!! Obviously, this is a huge benefit to the Pruitt family - as the medical bills have really started to roll in now. Lisa also worked to get us a "trivia in a box" kit to use for the evening - which saved all of YOU from having to answer crazy, obscure questions written by me, Jamey or Vicki. And it also makes for a less work for us, so we can focus on other things (like donations...and boy are there some good things!!!)

And on the Parker front - he would like everyone to know that last week - he got TWO bottom teeth in!! No fussing, no pain - he just opened his mouth and smiled big one day - and there they were. Let's hope the rest of the chompers are that easy as well. He is also currently in Iowa City for hopefully his LAST inpatient intensive chemo stay! As always - the good thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

See you again soon!!